Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Kyle Higashioka Learns Japanese Just to Talk to Masahiro Tanaka

Yesterday I discussed a few men that could be vying for open
roster spots with the New York Yankees this spring training, especially as many
key members of the team are off representing their respective countries in the
World Baseball Classic, and one such player I specifically mentioned by name
was catcher Kyle Higashioka. Well here we are in a new day but we are once
again talking about Higashioka and for a whole new reason. Apparently
Higashioka, born in California but obviously of the Japanese decent, learned
the language of his grandfather and family before him this winter and into the
spring with one main goal in mind…. Talking to Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka.

Now while I may be embellishing just a little when I say he
learned the language to talk to Tanaka, his father has reportedly pushed him
for years to learn Japanese, having Tanaka this year and potentially players
like Shohei Otani next season and beyond the Yankees catching prospect thought
it could only help his chances in reaching the Major Leagues with the club.

Higashioka, a seventh round draft pick by the Yankees in the
2008 MLB First Year Players Draft, lost an important year of development in
2014 after undergoing Tommy John surgery but seemed healthy in 2016 when he
finished his age-26 season with 21 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A.
Higashioka is out to prove that the power spike is not a fluke in 2017 and is
well on his way to doing that after hitting a home run in his first spring
training at bat of the Grapefruit League this season. Higashioka altered his
swing before last season and has definitely seen an uptick in power and his
line drive hitting which should only improve this season as Higashioka
continues to put himself on the Yankees map.

Also, since I am feeling educational this morning, if you
ever wanted to know how to say a few key words in Japanese for a catcher like
Kyle Higashioka you’re in luck. Daniel is here. Enjoy and you’re welcome.